Would you have put your face into De Bruyne's boot for the first goal?

Vidic and Stam might. Smalling wouldn't.

Smalling is a very good CB i thought he'd be one of the first names on Joses team.

Balling

Blind is a better option against 90 percent of teams because he is far better on ball, and that's important when teams are set up to defend.

The first goal was more Bailly's fault that Blind's, without a shadow of a doubt in my mind.

I have no idea why he decided not to contest the flick on.

But both have been very good in our opening fixtures, and actually did fairly well today in my eyes, with the exception of the goals. I'd stick with both of them.

We'll probably see a Smalling and Bailly partnership in midweek.

Neither CB was great today although I thought Bailly grew into it. I still think Mike is our best CB so he has a fair chance of returning.

I'd blame Blind more on the opener as he was far too slow and should have attacked the ball. The whole defence was way too slow on the second too.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 38 seconds ago
Neither CB was great today although I thought Bailly grew into it. I still think Mike is our best CB so he has a fair chance of returning.

I'd blame Blind more on the opener as he was far too slow and should have attacked the ball. The whole defence was way too slow on the second too.
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If Bailly contests the first ball, there's no opportunity.

Rosso

True but I feel Blind had an easier oportunity and was too slack. They both messed up.

I do like blind but he will always struggle when sides play to a tempo like today as it simply isn't in him. His technique and composure can get him out of a lot of trouble but when opponents are that much quicker to the ball and playing with real intensity it's hard for him to deal with.

comment by Genius_AppleCart_Space_Dude_Featuring_Zorak (U19099)
posted 8 minutes ago
We'll probably see a Smalling and Bailly partnership in midweek.
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Bailly looked dead on his feet at the end... I'd rather he had the night off

Well Smalling will definitely play.The guy needs games,as with most the players that will feature in that game.

Like to see Mensah,Depay and Martial start uptop.

Blind stabbed Mourinho in the back.

Yeah I'm sure Jose will give a few other players a game. But also needs to keep a bit of match fitness there, maybe 5 or 6 players coming in and if the results going ok bring on 2 or 3 other players who haven't really played yet.

I'd change pretty much everyone tbh

Ddg

TFM.... Smalling... Jones... Rojo/Darmian

Morgan... Herrera

MHKI.... Mata.... Depay

Martial

I'd play:

De Gea
Mensah Smalling Rojo Shaw
Carrick Herrera
Mkhitaryan Pogba Mata
Ibrahimovic

I dunno, Feyenoord away isn't going to be a stroll in the park. That side simply won't be match fit to deal with the level of play Feyenoord will be able to play at.

I'd like to see us now push Blind into midfield with Pogba and Herrera ahead of him.

Obviously this requires ditching Rooney, so won't happen, but it would give us the right balance of everything in the middle - passing, composure, energy, power and technique.

At the back end of last season (probably the last 5 games) Smalling was utterly knackered. He was well over due a rest. Unfortunately he got roped into going to the euros with some deadbeats.

At club level he had carried a weak defensive unit virtually single-handed all season. No proper left or right back - except on the odd occasion that Darmian played.

Rojo was average at best, crap much of the time. Blind is an okay midfielder, but average CB. Plus, whoever is currently in defense has to keep extraordinarily concentrated, because they have a weak 'keeper behind them. Bailly may be okay for the future, but MUFC are at their collective best when Smalling and Jones are both fit and playing consistently together.

That, plus keeping Luke Shaw fit and (hopefully) Darmian on the right, would mean that at least there is the beginnings of a stable and strong back four. So essential in league campaigns.

I don't really believe United have a cat in hells chance of being title challengers this season. You don't win league titles without: a solid back four; a weak keeper; no left winger, and; only one (very old) striker.

Never going to happen.

That being said United need to develop a genuine sense of direction. Keep the good stuff, sack the crap (Lingard and Herrera spring to mind). Develop Mkhit, Pogba, Mata and the rest into winners. And buy some EPL experienced (or style) centre forwards. Zlatan is a great asset but he is only likely to be a one season player (at best).

It is going to be a long and painful season without some real positive and progressively thoughtful direction being adopted by the club.

comment by Shugs (U14253)
posted 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
I'd change pretty much everyone tbh

Ddg

TFM.... Smalling... Jones... Rojo/Darmian

Morgan... Herrera

MHKI.... Mata.... Depay

Martial
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Missed out Rooney.